Indian Couples Seek Vegetarian Egg Donors

While religion, intelligence, height, and blood type still matter, vegetarian diets top donor wish lists for couples looking to conceive.

According to the Times of India, Indian couples are increasingly interested in the diets of egg donors. Whereas religion, caste, and height previously were the main concerns of couples looking to conceive, now donors’ food choices are topping wish lists. Kamini A. Rao, medical director of The Milann Fertility Centre in Bangalore, says, “Every third couple I come across wants a vegetarian donor.” The doctor explains these choices as a desire for couples to “get the best from others.” While meat consumption across India has been on the rise in recent years, according to Aviva Pinto Rodrigues of Nova IVI Fertility, a “large number [of couples] prefers vegetarian donors and wants all details about the donor’s food choices,” regardless of whether the couple consumes meat themselves.